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Cliff Robertson, the Oscar-winner for 1968's Charly who is best-known to today's generation as uncle Ben Parker in the Spider-Man movies, died yesterday at age 88, reports the LA Times. Described by Look magazine in 1963 as "one of the finest young actors in America today," Robertson won many plaudits for his theater and television work, and appeared in more than 50 movies—including Gidget, Three Days of the Condor, and Brainstorm—but never made the leap to the Hollywood A-list.

But in 1977, Robertson starred in a real-life story, turning whistleblower in an infamous embezzlement scandal at Columbia Pictures, which ultimately implicated the studio chief. "I wasn't trying to be Don Quixote," Robertson told a magazine later. But he was black-balled for three years: "I broke the unwritten commandment: Thou shalt never confront a major mogul on corruption," he said in a later interview. "Suddenly, the phone stopped ringing."

A truly fine and solid actor whom will be missed. Eighty eight years was not a bad run. Thanks for the good times and for the memories; RIP.

finkster

Sep 11, 2011 4:39 PM CDT

You're about to be a very lonely man. It didn't have to end this way. Of course it did. Hey Turner, How do you know they'll print it? You can take a walk, but how far if they don’t print it? They'll print it. How do you know? Chorus: Remember Christ, our Savior Was born on Christmas day To save us all from Satan’s power Three Days of the Condor

lauriec67

Sep 11, 2011 10:46 AM CDT

what a loss of such a talented dignified actor! Id wondered for years where he was..the movie he was in, "the devils brigade", was my dads ACTUAL UNIT.. during the war they threw a bunch of american misfits in w/a canadian paratrooper unit, and they became The Devils Brigade..I used to tease my dad and say "who played you daddy?" "William Holden?" and he'd say nope...Cliff Robertson! RIP Sir.